Heating device



March 13, 1945. A. RICKENBACHER HEATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 9, 1959 Patented Mar. 13, 1945 v 2x3 3) HEATING. DEWIGE; 3

at ant nn e hat f i Application December 9, 1939,: Serial-No; 8,405 sce es -1 5F 5 This invention relates to heating devices and relates more particularly to stoves-or: heating devices for-maintaining foods, beverages, etc; at the corrector selected temperature for serving. A general object of this inventionis to provide a "simple-practical and effective device for maintaining foods, beverages, etc., at a uniform and selected temperature for serving. a Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that is small, compact, light in weightand pleasing in appearance and, therefore, adapted to be placed on the table, sideboard, or the like,to maintain the food or bever ge' at a uniformteinperature forserving.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the'charaoter mentionedthatoperates without producing smokeor 'odorsa'n'd with out soiling the utensils.

Another object of this invent-ion is to provide 'a device of the character mentioned that is safe and economical to use. The; device of'th'e invention may employ a simple paraflin candle, or the like, as the heat producing mean and the candle cannot explode and burns for along period. Another object of this inventionis to provennon the; body end-to merge with a vide a device of the character mentionedthat is regulable oradjustable to vary the distance between the fiameyandthe bottom offth'epan or utensil thus obtaining the maximum efficiency in operation with the candle at any length,and providing for a 'rangeorvariation in the temperature at which the food is to be maintained. -Another object of this invention'is to provide a device of the character mentioned that embodies a'novel means for assuring a'correct and ample draft or circulation so that the-flame burns evenly and without producing soot, smoke, or odors.

A further object, of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that embodies a minimum number ,ofiparts and is sim ple to manufacture.

The'various objects and features ofmy invention will be fully understoodifrom the i ollowing detailed description ofxtypi'c'al preferred forms and applications of the. invention, throughout which. description reference. is madefito. theac companying drawing',in which: Fig. 1- is aplan view of one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of thedevice shown in Fig. 1. Fig.'3 is an.enlarged-fside eleva-z tion of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 with a portion broken awayto appear in'verticalvcross section :Fig. Ms a. fragmentary sveiiticali'fdetai'led sectional-viewof another form" of the invention and F-ig;f 5*is -a reduced fragmentaryplan view of thedevice illustratedin-Fig e fThe deviceo'f the invention illustrated in Figs; 1, 2 andB may bel'said to comprise, generally, a

body II], a heating element orheating means I' l int'he body I0, and a grill or plate ;l-2-- on the body 'l'll for'supp'orting' pans and other receptacles.

The body forms'the-combustion -'chaIr1'-ber-or heating chainher-: of the device. "In accordance with [the inl 0 ma "be "ril'easing or orna mental in appearance; In"'the construction illus': tratdthe body) mes generally c5711'riti riea l side wall-l3 open at its upper end and curved inwardly at its'l'ower base; The base of the bod-yl=fl includes a central part 14- circumferentially spaced wings '9 radiatingfrom the central part M. The wings 9- are preferably chambered or hollowjopen at their under sides. The bottom wall -of th'e body 10- has a central depression or "so'cket' l5-extending"down-' ward-1y intothe central base part I 4. I The socket l5 is-pro'vided toreceive the "heating means I Iv and has a flat horizontal bottom wall. -An' upstandingdannula-r wall I 6 projects from the betin spaced relation tothe side tom ofthe s ocket 15 wall of the-socket to leave-or definea groove IT. The bottom wall or the'body ill is cutaway between wings -9 to have a plurality ofcircumfer entially spaced apertures l 8 The apertures l-8- serveto admit air into the body: l-IJ so that there may be an updraft throughthe bodywhen the device-ism use. I-tis to be noted that thewings Stand. the base part l4 support the body won a table. or the like, so that the apertures 18 are spaced above the table and the wing and'base part are-arranged so that the apertures" 18 cannot-.be obstructed. The upper-"edge "of the body wall: :rl3f'may be finished with an outwardly projectingrannularflangeiw, 'A 'illustrated in Fig.

at its' under side Zathe flange v1 91 "may. be chambered or relieved to reduce the'weight and cost. The: up'per'isurfaceof the flange 19 is preferably fiat and generally'horizontal. The side wall [3 ofuthe body -|0- is; provided with an internal upwardly facingannular-shoulder "20. The shoul der- 20. is provided to'support the plate I 2 and is in spaced adjacent relation to theupper edge of the-body. Thefbody I 0 ius'tdescribed may bean integral or one-piece casting for Bakelite; or'othe-r 'readiiymoldable material.

The1'heating -'-means l l 'is removably; positioned l0 houses the heating means "H and and a plurality of v the pan or receptacle supported by the plate l2. In the preferred form of the invention the heating means ll includes a candle 2| and a holder 22 for the candle. The candle 2| is preferably a good grade paraffin candle of rather large diameter and short in length. The holder 22 is a cup-like member containing or holding the candle 2|. The holder 22 is proportioned to be freely received in the body socket I5 and seats within the wall l6. As illustrated, the holder 22 has some clearance with the wall IS. The wall |6 serves to hold the candle holder 22 substantially centralized so that the heated holder cannot contact the wall of the socket l5. An out- I wardly curved lip 23 is formed on the upper end of the holder 22. The holder 22 forms a cup or container for the melted paraffin or candle material to greatly prolong the life of the candle. The lip 23 may serve to direct liquid candle material outwardly from the holder 22 in the event the device is tipped or moved when in use, so that the liquid material is received in the groove H. The groove H is adapted to trap, or retain the wax or candle material so that this material does not interfere with the easy removal of the holder 22 from the body Ill. The candle 2| supported in the centralized holder 22 has its wick 24 in or adjacent the central vertical axis of the body l0. s

The plate 12 forms a grill or support for the food and beverage pans or receptacles. The plate I2 is a generally flat disc-shaped member of metalor other non-inflammable heat resisting material. suitably finished, for example,it may be plated. In accordance with the invention the plate 12 is removably positioned to extend across the upper side of the bowl-like body H]. A downwardly projecting annular flange 24 is provided at the periphery of the disc-like plate |2. The flange 24 is preferably an integral part of the plate I2 and is freely received in the body Hi to have its lower edge rest on the shoulder 20. The parts are proportioned so that the upper surface of the plate |2 is substantially flush with or in thesame plane as the top surface of the body flange l5 when the plate is in position on the body H1.

The supporting plate I2 is perforated to allow the heat from the means H to directly act on the utensils or containers and. to allow for a desirable circulation of air through the body IU.

. In the preferred arrangement the plate 12 has a central opening 25 of substantial diameter directly over the flame of the candle 2| so that the heat of the flame acts directly on thebottom of the pan or receptacle. The remaining portion of the plate |2. is preferably perforated. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the major portion of the plate l2 has a plurality of perforations 26 shaped and arranged to form a pattern or design. The perforations 26 assist in allowing the heat from the means H to act directly on the bottom of the container or pan but are primarily provided to assure a suflicientcirculation of air through the body In to assure the proper operation or burning of the candle 2|.

The invention includes. simple, yet effective means for supporting pans, receptacles, etc., on the plate |2 in such a manner that they'do not close the perforations 26 against the passage or circulation of air. An annular series of circum- The supporting plate 12 may be ferentially spaced raised parts 21 is provided on the plate |2. The parts 21 may be formed by pressing the metal'of' the plate |2 upwardly. The parts 21 are preferably equally spaced about the vertical center of the plate l2 and are preferably located between the corresponding elements or perforations 26 of the pattern formed in the plate. The crowns or tops of the parts 21 are suitably rounded for engagement by the bottoms of the pans or receptacles. It will be seen that the parts 21 are operable to support a pan or receptacle so that the receptacle bottom is spaced above the plate l2 leaving an ample clearance space for the free circulation of air and for the effective distribution of the heat. It is preferred to space the parts 21 a substantial distance from the vertical center of the plate l2 to offer ample support for large utensils or receptacles. Smaller pans, etc., that are incapable of resting on the parts 21 may seat directly on the upper surface of the plate IE, but cover only the opening .21 and the innermost perforations 26, leaving the outer perforations 26 fully open for the free circulation of air.

In the use of the device illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing the candle 2| is arranged in the holder 22 and the holder is placed in the socket IS in the position illustrated. The wick 24 of the candle 2| is then lighted and the plate I2 is arranged in the position where its flange 24 rests on the shoulder 21 The pan or receptacle containing the food or beverage is then placed on the plate l2. The heat from the candle flame serves to maintain the contents of the receptacle at a uniform temperature. The apertures IS in the lower wall of the body I6 admit ample air into the body ID to fully support the combustion at the candle wick 24. The perforations 26 and the opening 25 provide for the free circulation of air through the plate l2 and provide for the even distribution of the heat across the bottom of the food receptacle. The parts 21 hold the bottom of the receptacle spaced above the plate |2 so that the air and heat may freely circulate above the plate. The opening 25 and the perforations 26 allow the heat from the candle 2| to directly act on the bottom of the receptacle. The candle burning in the confined space provided by the body ||l gives suflicient heat to maintain the receptacle and its contents at the desired temperature. The candle material that melts while the candle is burning is retained by the holder 22 so that the candle has a long life. After use the plate I2 is removed and the flame of the candle 2| is extinguished. It is preferred to snuff out the candleflame. When the candle 2| has been burned away, after repeated use, a new or replacement candle may be inserted in the holder 22.

Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing illustrate a form of the invention embodying means for adjusting the height of the plate I2 and embodying an alternative form of means for supporting the utensils or receptacles on the plate l2.

The body Ill of the device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar, generally, to the body l0 having a main side wall l3; a central base part I4 hollow wings 9 radiating from the part I4, apertures I8 in the bottom wall, a central socket |5a having an upstanding annular wall IS? on its bottom and a marginal top flange I9 all as described above. The .plate |2 is substantially the same as the plate |2,being a generally horizontal disc-shaped member of sheet metal, or other non-inflammable heat resisting material, plated or finished as. desired. The plate |2 has peripheral downwardly projecting flange 24*. A central opening 25 of substantial diameter occurs in'the plate sand the plate has a number the pans or receptacles so that height of the plate plate I2 is arranged in forations 26 is raised to form receptaclesupporting parts 21*. The parts 2! serve to support their bottoms are above the plate l2 leaving a space for the free distribution of the heat and the free circulation of the air. The parts 2'! located as just described constitute elements of the pattern or design formed in the plate I2 The means for regulating or adjusting the l2 comprises an annular series of cam surfaces 4| on the interior of the body wall I The surfaces 4| form parts of an upwardly facing annular shoulder corresponding generally in location to the shoulder 20. The surfaces 4| slope in the same direction and at the same surfaces terminate at abrupt vertical shoulders 42. It is preferred to provide a series of spaced notches 43 in each cam surface 4|. The notches 43 are preferably equally spaced and have rounded or curved walls.

The means for adjusting the plate l2? further includes legs or lugs 44 projecting downwardly from the flange 24 and cooperating with the surfaces 4|. There is a lug 44 for cooperating with each cam surface 4|. The lower ends of the legs 44 are rounded and shaped to fit the notches 43. The lugs 44 are circumferentially spaced in such a manner that they cooperate with the corresponding notches With the lugs 44 in cooperation with the notches 43 the plate [2 is held in the selected adjusted position and the lugs cannot slide down the cam surfaces 4 I e The use or operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 4 and is substantially the same as in the previously described form'of the invention. The holder 22 carrying a suitable candle 2| may be arranged in the socket l5 within the wall I6 The candle wick 24 is then ignited and the place. The plate I2 may be adjusted to the desired height by turning it so that the lugs 44 move along the cam surfaces 4l. By turning the plate l2 in one direction the lugs 44 move down the surfaces 4| so that the plate is lowered, and by turning the plate in the other direction the lugs move up the inclined surfaces. The lugs 44 engage in the notches 43 with the plate |2 adjusted to the desired height to retain the plate in the adjusted position. The plate |2 may be adjusted vertically as just described, to compensate for variations in the heat generated by the candle 2| and for variations in the height of the candle or, if desired, the plate l2- rnay be adjusted vertically inclination and the high ends of the 43 of the several surfaces.

tomaintain the food or beverage at a selected pan or receptacle holding the temperature. The food or beverages is placed on the plate I l and in most instances free to circulate up through the apertures l8 into the body- I0 and out through the opening 25 and the perforations 26 The clearance space between the plate l2 and the bottom of the receptacle provided by the parts 21 allows the air and heat to circulate upwardly from the body HI.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wishto be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that'may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope I of the following claims. Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A heating device of the character described comprising a body including an upstanding side wall, and a base at the lower end of the side wall, circumferentially spaced generally vertical wings on the base whose lower edges are adapted to rest on a support to mount the device and to hold the base above the support, there being substantially vertical air admitting apertures in the base between said wings, and a substantially central upwardly facing socket in the base distinct from said apertures, a holder removably received in the socket, flame generating meansin the holder, and a perforated plate removably carried by the sidewall to extend across the top of the body and adapted to support receptacles to be heated.

2. A heating device of the character described comprising a body including an upstanding side wall, and a base at the lower end of the side wall, radiating circumferentially spaced wings on the under side of the base whose tially central upwardly facing socket in the base a holder removwithin said series of openings, ably received in the socket, flame generating means in the holder, an annular upstanding wall in the bottom of the socket within said series of apertures for centering said means and defining a groove for receiving material from said means, and a perforated plate removably carried by the side wall to extend across the top of the body and adapted to support receptacles to be heated.

3. A heating device of the character described comprising a body having a generally upstanding side wall, and a lower wall, the lowerwall having a central socket. supporting legs radiating from the socket and adapted to support the body where its lower wall is above the supporting sur faces, there being air admitting openings in the- ADOLPH RICKENIBACHER.

rests on the parts 21, Air is lower edges are adapted to rest on a support to hold the base 

